Chapter 4: A Challenge, is it?

Alistor, despite his alien heritage, appeared to have lots in common with the other students, although preferring to stay alone. Early morning to midday, he'd go back to his ship to try and repair it.

"Damn it," he thought. "Sure could use some help with it." But knowing that probably no one would even know what it is, much less try to help, he continued.

"Hey, Ali!" A familiar voice called.

"What is it, Ruby? I'm busy."

"What'cha doing?"

"Trying to repair this piece of crap." He kicked it, then sat down in defeat. "Sure wish brother was here."

"I… uh, brought you something, maybe it'll make you feel better." She opened a package, labeled 'Ali'.

"Uh, thanks." He opened the package, and inside it, something he hadn't had in a couple days, despite all the offers…

Food.

Knowing his Saiyan appetite, this was definitely not enough, but he did admire the girl's concern.

"Since we didn't know what you might have eaten back at your home, we decided to just put together a basic meal." She tried looking for some conversation material, and then she noticed the scar on his face. "If you don't mind me asking… what happened to your face?"

"Long story short, I had a… disagreement, with someone. I'd rather not talk about it." He turned away. "Anyway, shouldn't you be in class?"

"RUUUUUBYYYY!" The sound of footsteps approaching. Yang, Blake, and Weiss arrived. "'Sup, Ali?"

"Why does everyone call me that?" His words, however, were ignored.

"What were you thinking, skipping class like that? Do you know how much trouble you could get in?" Weiss scolded.

"Sorry, guys." Ruby put on her innocent tone again. "I was just trying to help him out."

"Well anyway, we should be headed back. Lunch's almost ready." The word lunch piqued Alistor's interest.

"More food?" Alistor was reluctant to leave repairs unfinished, but his hunger got the best of him.

He was confused about where they were hunting, especially since it was a giant room, filled with benches. "I thought you said there was food, but I don't see any animals here. Are you sure these are hunting grounds?"

"Hunting grounds?" Blake asked, genuinely confused at the statement. "We get our food served to us."

He seemed surprised at the statement. "Served? But how do they expect you to hunt the food when you grow older?"

"We don't hunt for food. We buy it."

"Hey, new kid." This time, a masculine voice called.

"What do you want, Cardin?" Yang asked.

"Jeez, a guy can't even introduce himself."

"I'm still mad at you from last week. Why don't you go-"

"Hello, Cardin. I'm Alistor." They shook hands.

"See, that's more like it." The girls simply rolled their eyes. "I wanna see what you're made of. So, why don't you stop by the class this afternoon?"

"Of course. Who am I to turn down a challenge?" The girls just shook their heads, except for Yang.

"Yeah, maybe we can see you get the crap kicked out of you."

"Shut it, blondie." He turned back to Alistor. "Two o'clock. Got it?"

"Yeah, sure."

Cardin had no idea what he just got himself into.